Arsene Wenger's side fell behind early on to a goal from former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor, but he was dismissed for a wild tackle on Santi Cazorla and 10-man Spurs were overwhelmed. A header from Per Mertesacker drew Arsenal level, before two goals in quick succession from Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud put Arsenal ahead. Cazorla slotted home from close range on the hour to put Arsenal in complete control.

Gareth Bale got his name on the scoresheet 20 minutes from time but the comeback was snuffed out by a late goal from Theo Walcott.

It was an electrifying start to the contest, with a rampant Spurs taking a deserved lead when Adebayor was on hand to stab home the rebound after the returning Wojciech Szczesny made a smart save from Jermain Defoe.

Tottenham were in control, but it was on 18 minutes that the momentum of the contest shifted as Adebayor lunged in high on Cazorla and received a justified red card from Howard Webb.

Within seven minutes Arsenal were level, Mertesacker - who was at fault for the opener after losing Defoe - rose to head home a cross from Theo Walcott.

Hugo Lloris, in for Brad Friedel, made fine saves to twice deny Giroud and it looked like Tottenham would get in on at the break on level terms. But three minuntes from half-time a deflected shot from Podolski dribbled past Lloris to hand Arsenal the lead.

And in first-half injury-time, Arsenal were grateful for an excellent advantage from referee Webb who allowed Cazorla to play on after being fouled and he crossed for Giroud to rifle home from eight yards.

Arsenal thought they had put the game to bed when Cazorla turned in Podolski's cross with half an hour remaining, but Gareth Bale cut the gap with a 20-yard strike on 70 minutes and it could have been very nervous had he crossed for an unmarked Defoe rather than shoot wide.

Defoe kicked a post in frustration, Tottenham were deflated and Arsenal put a seal on the win with a fifth in injury-time.